ELECTIVE, POSTOPERATIVE VENTILATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ESOPHAGEAL ATRESIA AND TRACHEOESOPHAGEAL FISTULA

The management of esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheoesoph ageal fistula (TEF) has undergone many changes. As a result of recent advances in neonatal intensive care and pediatric anesthesia, the surv ival of infants with EA and TEF has improved markedly, but the occurre nce of anastomotic complications has remained constant. To overcome th is problem, various techniques and suture materials have been used. Th is review of 20 consecutive cases of EA/TEF stresses the importance an d influence of non-reversal of anesthesia, paralysis, and elective ven tilation for protection of the esophageal anastomosis following repair of EA and TEF.